Steering Your Sculling Boat
Steering a single scull effectively is a crucial skill for safety, efficiency, and enjoyment on the water. Unlike boats with rudders, in a single scull, you are the steering mechanism, using your oars and body to control the boat’s direction.
Key to Steering: Awareness & Subtle Adjustments
Good steering comes from being aware of your surroundings and making small, timely adjustments. Avoid oversteering, which can disrupt your rhythm and balance.
Basic Steering Principles
Steering is primarily achieved by varying the pressure or length of your strokes on one side of the boat compared to the other.
To Turn Starboard (Rower's Left):
- Apply slightly more pressure with your port (left) oar.
- Alternatively, slightly shorten your stroke or reduce pressure on your starboard (right) oar.
To Turn Port (Rower's Right):
- Apply slightly more pressure with your starboard (right) oar.
- Alternatively, slightly shorten your stroke or reduce pressure on your port (left) oar.
Think: The boat turns away from the side with more pressure.
For more significant turns or turning the boat around:
- To pivot turn to starboard (rower's left):
- Gently backwater with your starboard (right) oar (push the handle away from you, blade slightly resisting the water).
- Simultaneously, take light, forward strokes (arms/body only) with your port (left) oar.
- To pivot turn to port (rower's right):
- Gently backwater with your port (left) oar.
- Simultaneously, take light, forward strokes (arms/body only) with your starboard (right) oar.
Always check your surroundings carefully for other traffic and obstacles before initiating a pivot turn.
Coach's Tip: Small Adjustments are Key
Make small, frequent adjustments to your course rather than large, sudden corrections. This helps maintain boat speed and stability. Aim for a landmark in the distance on the correct side of the waterway.
Looking Around for Navigation and Safety
Since you're facing backward, you need to look over your shoulder regularly to see where you're going and to be aware of your surroundings.
How and When to Look:
- Frequency: Look over alternating shoulders (e.g., left, then right on the next check) every 3-5 strokes. This should become a regular habit.
- Technique:
- Make it a quick glance, ideally during the recovery phase of your stroke.
- Try to minimize disruption to your rowing rhythm and balance. Avoid stopping your rowing to look around unless absolutely necessary for safety.
- Purpose:
- Check your "point": Ensure you are heading in your intended direction.
- Identify other water users: Look for other rowing shells, kayaks, paddleboards, motorboats, etc.
- Spot obstacles: Be aware of buoys, docks, bridges, debris, or shallow areas.
- Maintain course: Ensure you are following the correct traffic pattern for the waterway.
Practice looking over your shoulder without significantly altering your stroke or balance. It takes time to develop this skill smoothly.
Advanced Steering Considerations
As you become more proficient, you'll develop a finer sense of boat control.
- Using Wind and Current: Learn to anticipate how wind and current will affect your boat and make subtle preemptive corrections.
- Subtle Weight Shifts: Experienced scullers can make very minor steering adjustments with subtle shifts in body weight, though this is an advanced skill.
- Maintaining Course in Chop: Steering in choppy water requires more active management and anticipation. Focus on maintaining blade connection and consistent power application.
Common Steering Issues & Fixes
Difficulty Staying on Course (Weaving)
- Boat weaves from side to side.
- Making large, over-corrections.
- Technique breaks down when looking around.
How to Fix It:
- Focus on a distant point: Pick a fixed point on the horizon or bank and aim for it.
- Small, gentle corrections: Avoid yanking on one oar. Use slight pressure differences.
- Consistent looking: Make looking around a regular part of your stroke cycle (every 3-5 strokes).
- Equal pressure: Ensure you're applying even pressure with both oars during normal rowing.
Traffic Pattern Problems
- Being on the wrong side of the waterway.
- Cutting corners on turns.
- Unsure where you should be on the river.
How to Fix It:
- Know the rules: Generally, stay to the starboard (right) side of the waterway.
- Follow experienced rowers: Observe and follow the paths of more experienced club members.
- Use landmarks: Identify landmarks to help you remember the correct traffic patterns.
- When in doubt, move further right: It's generally safer to give more space.
- Refer to the River Traffic Guide.
Safety First!
Effective steering is a critical safety skill. Always be vigilant about your position on the water, aware of other boats, obstacles, and changing weather conditions. Prioritize safe navigation over speed or perfect technique, especially when learning.